This program featured Davidson County Circuit Judge Tom Brothers and Hamilton County Circuit Judge Jeff Hollingsworth, along with a faculty of leading defense and plaintiffs’ attorneys, who explainined the very latest developments in healthcare liability and sharing trial experiences.

“The materials are always the best – I love that I get a binder to take back to the office with me.”

“The case law update each year is always a highlight.”

“One of the best CLE seminars in the state – I always come back every year!”

Your Conference Leaders

Brandon Bass was named Shareholder in the Law Offices of John Day, P.C. in Brentwood in 2010. He focuses on helping people who have been badly injured or lost a loved one. He has assisted victims of medical malpractice in recovering for their losses from doctors and other healthcare providers. His core practice areas include products liability, medical malpractice, and trucking lawsuits. He has experience in products liability lawsuits, including industrial machinery, pharmaceuticals, automotive and tractor-trailer defects, and defects in construction materials. Mr. Bass serves on the Board of Governors for the Tennessee Association for Justice, and is the organization’s Amicus Curiae Committee Chair. He is also a member of the American Association for Justice, serving on the Board of Governors of its New Lawyers Division, as well as the Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations. He has been a member of the John Marshall American Inn of Court in Williamson County. He is a graduate of Purdue University and the University of Tennessee College of Law. He frequently writes on personal injury and wrongful death legal issues. In addition, Mr. Bass is Associate Editor of the TennesseeTrial Law Report – Tort Edition. The Trial Law Report is a monthly newsletter on tort law, evidence, civil procedure and trial in Tennessee. He was formerly Associate Editor of the Tennessee Tort Law Letter.

William L. Bomar is a member of Glankler Brown, PLLC, in Memphis. Mr. Bomar concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, health care, medical malpractice, construction litigation and insurance litigation. He received his BA in 1983 from Vanderbilt University and his JD in 1986 from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis. He is a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Medical Malpractice Law and Personal Injury Litigation. He is listed in Mid-South SuperLawyers® in the areas of Healthcare/Medical Malpractice/Construction Law/Personal Injury Law. Mr. Bomar was named one of the Top Rated Lawyers in Healthcare Law in 2013 by American Corporate Counsel magazine.

Judge Thomas W. Brothers was appointed to a term on the Davidson County Circuit Court in February 1989 by Governor Ned McWherter, was elected in 1990, and re-elected in 1998, 2006, and 2014. He practiced law in Nashville as a solo practitioner (1978-89) in the law offices of Jack Norman. Judge Brothers is a member of the Tennessee, Nashville and American Bar Associations and L.A.W. He is a member of the ABA Judicial Division’s Technology Committee. As a member of the Tennessee Judicial Conference, he serves as Chair of the Technology for the Courts Committee and is a member of the Pattern Civil Jury Instructions Committee and the Delay Reduction Committee. He is a past Secretary for the Conference. He has served as chair of the Minorities Opportunities Committee and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Nashville Bar Association. He is an emeritus Master of the Bench of the Harry Phillips American Inn of Court. Judge Brothers was Presiding Judge for the 20th Judicial District for two terms, from 1991 to 1993. He is the Vice-Chair for the Justice Information System (JIS) of Nashville-Metropolitan Government as well as being the Circuit Court Representative on the Policy and Operations Committees of JIS.

Charles S. Higgins, with Burch, Porter & Johnson, PLLC, in Memphis, focuses his practice on civil litigation, personal injury litigation, and land use and zoning matters. He has successfully tried cases in both federal and state courts and represented clients before local government boards. Before joining Burch, Porter & Johnson, Mr. Higgins served as a judicial law clerk to Chief Judge Jon P. McCalla of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Higgins was a teacher and high school basketball coach in Marianna, Arkansas, through Teach for America. He was named to the “Super Lawyers” Mid-South Rising Stars list in the Personal Injury General: Plaintiff area in 2016. He received his BA in 2005 from Loyola University, summa cum laude, and his JD in 2011 from the University of Minnesota Law School, magna cum laude.

Judge Jeff Hollingsworth is a circuit court judge in Hamilton County. He practiced law for over 28 years before being elected to the bench in August 2006. He is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the Tennessee Supreme Court Commission on Specialization. He is a former prosecutor with the Hamilton County District Attorney’s office and a former shareholder of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel PC. He has also been elected as a Fellow of the Chattanooga and Tennessee Bar Foundations.

Clinton L. Kelly is a member of The Kelly Firm in Hendersonville. Mr. Kelly is certified as a specialist in Medical Negligence by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. He focuses his practice in the areas of medical malpractice in both Tennessee and Kentucky, medical products liability, and pharmaceutical liability/multi-district litigation. Mr. Kelly received his BA in 1990 from Rhodes College and his JD in 1993 from Memphis University. While attending Memphis University, he served on the Memphis University Law Review and Moot Court Board. He was admitted to the Tennessee bar in October of 1993. Mr. Kelly is a Diplomate with the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys and is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, the Sumner County Bar Association, the American Association of Justice/Professional Negligence Section, the Southern Trial Lawyers Association, and the Board of Governors for the Tennessee Association of Justice.

Randall L. Kinnard, with Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge in Nashville, received the “Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year” award for 2016 from the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association. He has been recognized by countless organizations and publications for his exceptional skill both in and out of the courtroom. Mr. Kinnard is a leading personal injury/medical malpractice lawyer in Tennessee. Prior to pursuing law school, Mr. Kinnard graduated from West Point and then served in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, which equipped him for success in his legal practice. He was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Purple Heart, Bronze Star for Valor, and Air Medal for his two tours in Vietnam. Mr. Kinnard emphasizes two things in his practice: competence and respect. He has started many initiatives that shed light on the importance of respect in life and legal practice. Mr. Kinnard respects his clients and is a friend to them through the entire legal process. Mr. Kinnard is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification and Board-Certified as Medical Malpractice Specialist by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. He has recovered many record-setting verdicts for injury victims, including a $22 million medical malpractice jury verdict that was the largest in the state for a single person. He was also able to secure a $55 million verdict for sportscaster Erin Andrews in her lawsuit against a hotel and a stalker. He is a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and Inner Circle of Advocates.

Wendy Longmire, a partner with Ortale Kelley in Nashville, is an experienced and tenacious litigator. Ms. Longmire has been a member of Ortale Kelley since 1987, and she has honed her skills representing major companies and individuals who find themselves in conflict. Her career began with a judicial clerkship with Judge Walter C. Kurtz of the Fifth Circuit Court of Davidson County. Ms. Longmire became a partner at the firm in 1993, and she has tried hundreds of matters in jury and non-jury settings. She handles complex civil litigation involving death and personal injury alleged to have resulted from professional negligence and simple negligence, healthcare liability, products liability, negligent design and employment disputes. In addition to her active litigation practice, Ms. Longmire is a Rule 31 listed General Civil Mediator. She is Board-Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy. Mid-South Super Lawyers® named her a top-rated attorney for her expertise in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice, Products Liability, and Civil Litigation Defense for over five years. Ms. Longmire presents seminars involving complex tort liability. She is a Past-President for Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women and serves as Vice-Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee. She volunteers her time to: Nashville Pro Bono Program; The Davidson County Mock Trial Competition; and The Nashville Symphony. She also serves on the Nashville Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Committee. She serves on the Nashville Bar Association Board of Directors and was named Best of the Bar, 2016 for her skills in litigation.

James E. Looper, Jr., with Hall Booth Smith, P.C., in Nashville, has a background in medicine and focuses his practice on the defense of healthcare professionals and entities in professional liability suits. Mr. Looper handles cases ranging from dental malpractice to birth trauma. In addition, he leads a team of experienced litigators who handle prison health issues, including malpractice and 1983 compliance. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Looper attended graduate school in pharmacology and medical school. Upon graduating from law school, Mr. Looper began a general litigation practice in Dalton, Georgia. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he joined the law firm of Hall Booth Smith, P.C. and began to focus his practice on medical issues. In 2006, Mr. Looper relocated to Hall Booth Smith’s Nashville office where he serves as the office’s co-managing partner. He is currently licensed in Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. His practice is centered on medical-related issues, complex litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and health care. In addition to being an experienced litigator, Mr. Looper is a Rule 31 certified mediator in Tennessee. He routinely speaks at a number of continuing education programs and is involved in several professional organizations. In addition, he has served on the board of the Wang foundation for Sight Relief and the board of the Hospital Hospitality House, including two terms as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Looper currently serves as the assistant chair of the firm’s medical malpractice practice group. He has received numerous awards including being listed as one of the leaders in Tennessee health care. Every year since 2012, Nashville Medical News InCharge Healthcare has named Mr. Looper to the list of key decision-makers in Nashville’s healthcare industry.

Chris Tardio, with Gideon, Cooper & Essary in Nashville, has been representing healthcare providers and entities since 2004 in a wide variety of matters. He has represented the largest healthcare companies in the world, medical groups and clinics across the state, and individual physicians from Bristol to Memphis, in virtually all types of matters in federal court, state court, and administrative tribunals. Mr. Tardio has extensive experience defending hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers in virtually all kinds of professional negligence cases, from pre-suit investigation through trial and appeal. He has represented healthcare companies and providers in disputes with federal agencies, state boards, and insurance companies. He has successfully represented parties on both sides of peer review matters – the physician side and the hospital side. He has special interest and experience representing healthcare providers in the most complex of cases, including multi-district litigation and complex birth injury litigation. He has defended birth injury cases in a dozen counties and three different states. He has actively participated in almost a dozen healthcare-related jury trials and administrative trials, including over a half-dozen complex multi-week trials. He has successfully argued appellate matters to Tennessee’s state courts of appeals and to the federal Sixth Circuit. He was named a “Rising Star” by Mid-South Super Lawyers® in 2015 and 2016 and was listed in Best Lawyers in America® (Health Care) in 2015 and 2016. He was also listed in Best Lawyers in America® (Medical Malpractice – Defendants) in 2016.

Joshua R. Walker is an Associate General Counsel with The University of Tennessee. He represents the State of Tennessee in litigation involving the University, including medical malpractice, personal injury, other tort claims, and workers’ compensation, at trial and on appeal. He represents the University in Uniform Administrative Procedures Act hearings involving student discipline and also provides advice and counsel for various University committees and individuals. Mr. Walker earned his BM degree, summa cum laude, from The University of Tennessee and his JD degree, summa cum laude, from The University of Tennessee College of Law. He is a member of the Knoxville Bar Association (Judicial Committee) and the National Association of College and University Attorneys.

Mr. Kinnard will discuss the dangers associated with pre-suit notice requirements, some traps lawyers have fallen in, the certificate of good faith requirement, securing experts and other challenges before filing suit.

Judge Hollingsworth will discuss some common mistakes lawyers make when trying a healthcare liability case. What can you do to prevent these mistakes and give your client the best representation possible? Get insight from Judge Hollingsworth on how he expects attorneys to conduct themselves when trying cases in his courtroom. Hear examples of the types of trial presentations that have impressed this judge or the types of antics and tactics he feels attorneys should avoid.

12:15 P.M. TO 1:15 P.M. (LUNCH IS INCLUDED WITH REGISTRATION)

1:15 P.M. TO 2:15 P.M.Panel Discussion of “Hot Topics” in the Healthcare Liability Area

Judge Hollingsworth and leading plaintiffs’ and defense attorneys discuss some of the “hottest” issues in the healthcare liability arena. Listeners are invited to ask questions, share their own experiences, and join in the discussion.

The depositions of parties and key witnesses are of paramount importance in healthcare liability cases. A case can be won or lost in a deposition. Gathering important details and facts in depositions will lay the foundation for the outcome of the case. Let Ms. Longmire walk you through the key questions you should be asking and how to properly evaluate the information shared in a deposition.

3:00 P.M. TO 4:00 P.M.Panel Discussion of “Hot Topics” in the Healthcare Liability Area

Judge Brothers and leading plaintiffs’ and defense attorneys discuss some of the “hottest” issues in the healthcare liability arena. Listeners are invited to ask questions, share their own experiences, and join in the discussion.

Medical battery and informed consent cases are on the rise. Mr. Kelly will offer you tips on trying medical battery and informed consent cases. He will discuss some recent appellate court cases dealing with these types of claims and will explain the differences in the two. Is an expert required? Do you have to file a certificate of good faith before proceeding with either claim? Does the injury have to be caused by malpractice?

Disclaimer:Purchase of this product is for internal organizational use only and does not include the right to reproduce, resell or copy content. For questions on use of content, custom pricing, or to discuss external or third party use, please contact customer service at 800-727-5257.